"The Hinge"

I know that many of you have heard of "The Hinged Leader system." I would like to talk this week about what I feel are the good and bad points of this system as well as one particular river that I use this system on exclusively.

The Pro's:      Sensitivity!!!! This system allows for direct contact with the point nymph. Keeping it in line and in most cases in the same drift line as the indicator. This helps when fishing mixed currents as it reduces the chance of under water drag that can't be seen. Mends must still be done unless you are fishing directly upstream of your position but the system mends well. A short line technique is best (20' or less). Accurate depth control I feel is one of the strongest points to look at when fishing this system. I like to used it most when I am fishing flats or water with a consistent depth. I also use it when fishing an emergence and I have fish holding deep but pushing up from deep water to feed at the head of a pool.

The Con's:      With all good things there must be some negative. First off, I dont like the way this system ties up. It fishes just fine but I am never totally confident in the leader to tippet connection because of the great difference in line diameter. I have experimented with this alot this year and have finally come up with a way that I feel better about. I attach the sections together with cinch knots, tying in the indicator to the main running line and tighten down the tippet section last allowing it to hang at a 90 degree angle as it is tightened. I adjust my connection about every 5 casts to make sure that the tippet section remains hanging straight down from the indicator. The other draw back is having to adjust for depth changes. Tippet will have to be added or clipped to change your depth instead of just moving your indicator. Time consuming and difficult in the winter. This however did cause me to pay closer attention to the depth the fish were holding and thus improved my success. So that in itself might be what has helped my nymphing more then the set up itself. This system is best when fished over shallow to medimum depth water and does not work well when trying to nymph really deep water. This system also does not cast well.

The Water:      Try this system on the Blue River, I have found it to be the best set up for the C & R  section through town.

FOR MORE DETAIL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE COMPLETE RUN DOWN